Austin Wolcott had not seen the take sign before on a 1-0 count.
East Hamilton coach Matt Ramsey called a straight steal of home plate, which senior Khaleel Marshall executed to perfection as he broke at the start of the pitcher's windup to take home plate easily with a head first slide.
The triple-steal in the bottom of the fifth paid off in a big way as Wolcott laced a two-run single up the middle on the next pitch to take the lead for good in Monday's 12-9 District 5-AAA home victory.
"To come back and win this game despite getting down early feels great. We had a fire to fight back," said Wolcott who had two hits and drove in a game-high four runs. "We were not going to lay down. Even though we came out flat, we picked it up and to get this win feels great. I feel like we are putting things together now."
The Hurricanes (7-6, 2-5-5-AAA) did an excellent job with the bats as they had 13 hits and hit the ball well against Trojans' ace Landon Maynor.
Solid approaches at the plate were taken by Ramsey's squad, which drove in five runs off right-handed batters hitting the ball sharply to the right side of the field. Wolcott did so twice along with Gray Williams, Carson Hedrick and Chase Roberts.
"We preach to our guys to go up there with a plan," Ramsey said. "I would rather them have a bad plan than no plan at all. It's important to have conviction in what you are going up there to do. The guys had a plan tonight and made it happen."
Soddy-Daisy (3-11, 2-5 5-AAA) jumped ahead 9-6, scoring six runs in the top of the fifth. Noah Ferguson drove in a pair of runs in the defeat along with teammates Beaux Catelin and Maynor, who had a pair of hits along with AJ Florio and Will Ackerman.
Marshall accounted for two of East Hamilton's runs in the bottom of the fifth as he had an RBI single to right field and stole home. Joe Quinlan had a big day at the plate and his third single in the bottom of the sixth drove in two key insurance runs.
On the same day Haynes Eller announced his commitment to play college football for East Tennessee State, the strong-armed righty was perfect in his season pitching debut.
"That was a lot of fun," said Eller, who could be a big spark down the stretch for the Hurricanes in the closer's role. "I definitely didn't think I would be where I am today. I told Matt (Ramsey) when I decided to play baseball, I want a chance to play with you and see how good I can get. With the progress I have made so far, I am amazed what he has done with me."
* Silverdale Baptist 9, Notre Dame 0: Turner Junkins was sharp throwing six shutout innings, while Brett Rogers (2-for-3, two runs) and Ian Reagan (2-for-3, 2 RBIs) had big days at the plate. Sebastian Hanks also scored three runs and doubled.
* Sale Creek 12, Lookout Valley 1: Five different players for the Panthers had two-hit performances. Seth Hodge led the way driving in three runs and scoring three times as well. Braden Penny earned the win on the mound while he walked four times and scored three runs. Drew Hillian, Jakob Elrod, Jonah Brantley and Eli Buttram all had two hits in the win, while Rylan Collins had two hits for Lookout Valley.
* Signal Mountain 15, Tyner 0: Braden Wolfard drove in five runs, while Sam Witherspoon struck out six over three no-hit innings.
* Baylor 13, Chattanooga Christian 0: Henry Godbout and Vito Valincius each had three hits while Danny Corona and Jay Dill each homered for the second game in a row. Luke Courdin allowed one hit over five scoreless.
* Hixson 13, East Ridge 0: Cooper Bailey had three hits and was sharp on the mound with Brian Dossett, Jacob Tobias and Nic Castro. Eight different Wildcats drove in a run.
* Cleveland 2, Ooltewah 1: Hayden Sells allowed one hit and struck out 12 in a dominant pitching duel with Dominic Mackaluso who struck out eight and allowed one earned run on six hits. Jonathan Powers went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, including the go-ahead in the top of the sixth on a bunt by Sells.
* McCallie 5, Knox Catholic 1: Kyle Berry and Nolan Sergeant sparked the top of the lineup for the Blue Tornado, while William Baker struck out eight over six innings of one-run ball.
SOCCER
McCallie 7, Chattanooga Patriots 0: Gui Vivaldini scored four goals and had an assist and Daneil Anderson had one goal and two assists for the Blue Tornado.
SOFTBALL
Silverdale Baptist 11, GPS 2: Emry Masterson led the Lady Seahawks' hitting as the eighth-grade standout went 3-for-4 with three runs batted in and three runs scored. Addie Keef and Gabbie Hensley each had multi-hit performances for Silverdale, who put seven runs on the board in the first two innings and finished with 13 base hits to back Katie Willoughby who picked up the win allowing two earned runs and striking out six in five innings.
Walker Valley 17, East Ridge 0: Hannah Guffey and Addy Girard each homered for the Lady Mustangs who plated 14 runs in the first. Guffey was a spark from the leadoff spot driving in three runs and scoring three times, while Madilyn Kidd (2-for-2, 2 RBIs), Addison Woodall (2-for-2, 2 RBIs) and Girard (3 RBIs) all delivered big swings. Girard struck out six over 2 1/3 scoreless in relief.
East Hamilton 6, McMinn County 2: The Lady Hurricanes plated four runs in the top of the eighth to spark an extra innings victory. Henley Apps (2-for-3, triple) drove in two in the eighth while Grace Hixson singled in a run. Syerra Rogers picked up the win going eight strong innings, striking out 14 and allowing just three hits. Cami Wade went 2-for-3 with a home run for McMinn.
Sequatchie County 10, Soddy-Daisy 0: Cali Green threw a shutout while going 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. Addy Edgmon also delivered damage going 3-for-4 with a home run that banked off the scoreboard. Jadeyn Girdley, Alexus Ferrell, Jesyca Dennis and Megan Hall all had two hits for the Lady Indians who had eight extra base hits.
Ooltewah 8, Bradley Central 6: Kaylee Wilson went 3-for-4 with three runs and a pair of RBIs, while Annalee Moore did not allow an earned run, striking out nine. Alexandria Haynes drove in three runs for the Lady Owls on the road.
Boyd Buchanan 17, Lookout Valley 2: Presley Williamson hit two home runs and drove in six runs while Brooke Watson went 4-for-4 as the Lady Buccaneers finished with 17 hits. Kiley Elliott drove in two runs and scored three times while striking out eight and allowing just one hit.
Marion County 4, Chattanooga Christian 3: The Lady Warriors scored four unanswered to earn a big road victory in which Sara Muir (2-for-2), Madison Vandergriff (2-for-2) and Grace Slatton stood out.
TENNIS
GPS 5, Signal Mountain 2: Olivia Scotchie won 8-1 in singles while teamming up with her sister Ava to win an 8-4 doubles match for the Bruisers. Grace Williams was sharp for the Lady Eagles winning her No. 1 singles showdown 8-5.